Written by

Bob Jamieson

Some area agencies that provided disaster relief after the July 26 tornado and storm need a helping hand themselves.

Two of them, both Red Cross chapters, got a cash infusion Thursday during a two-hour telethon on the WETM-TV morning news program.

The fundraiser netted $12,000, and along with a $10,000 matching grant from United Way of the Southern Tier, the amount raised was about $22,000.

The joint event was sponsored by the Elmira-based Sullivan Trail Chapter and the Corning-based Greater Steuben Chapter of the American Red Cross. They supplied manpower, food, water and shelter for emergency workers and residents who were displaced or lost power.

“We have seen a wonderful response. We now feel a lot better about our disaster budget,” said Joel Robinson, executive director of the Sullivan Trail Chapter.

The Salvation Army in Elmira also is looking to replenish its operating budget because its storm relief drew down that account by a couple of thousand dollars, Major J. Craig Haggerty said.

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which provided food and water to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, said it can deliver a big return on donations — $27 in products for every $5 donated — because of its bulk buying power, said Missy Goetschius, community and public-relations manager.

The Red Cross’ cash drain in July, the first month of the fiscal year, wasn’t just from the tornado that pummeled a path from Big Flats to Elmira and less disastrous twisters that touched down near Lindley and South Corning.

An unusually high number of fires was the other factor. Robinson said the Sullivan Trail Chapter aided victims of seven fires in Chemung and Schuyler counties. Brian McConnell, executive director of the Greater Steuben Chapter, said his agency helped those affected by six fires, including one last weekend in Addison that displaced three families, days after the storm.

The Sullivan Trail’s disaster relief fund for direct aid usually averages $32,000 to $35,000, with the biggest drawdown usually during the home fire season of November to February.

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“I knew there was no way I would make it through the year. We always will respond; it is just that the money would come from another program,” Robinson said.

McConnell said the Steuben chapter’s disaster relief fund usually averages $35,000 to $45,000. “We tend not to see as many incidents in the summer months. The relief fund is at a lower level than normal,” he said.

The two Red Cross chapters have combined disaster programs and share the same emergency services director, Judith Coleman, McConnell said.

McConnell thanked Thursday’s donors and put out a call for five to eight more volunteers for his chapter’s disaster program.

Robinson said it will be next week before his chapter knows how much it spent on storm relief. He added the Red Cross is still identifying people who need help.

The Red Cross provided an emergency shelter for nearly 60 people over four days at Elmira Free Academy. Another 30 to 40 dropped in for just meals, Robinson said. The provided blankets need to be replaced since they are donated to animal shelters.

Robinson said the shelter experience made it evident that the Red Cross needs to have more than one special-needs cot because they are more stable, can support more weight and work better for the elderly or those with disabilities.

From the night of the storm until Tuesday, the Salvation Army’s canteen truck served an army of firefighters and residents of Elmira and the Golden Glow section of Big Flats. In all, 4,400 meals were served, everything from burgers and hot dogs to sandwiches, snacks and water, Haggerty said.

Some food was on hand, supermarkets and restaurants donated more, and some food had to be purchased.

Donations made online by local residents return to the Elmira chapter, he said.

“We are still really desperate for a new building,” he said. “The community will be hearing more about that.”